1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
What happens to actin-myosin cross-bridges Cross-bridges cannot detach, leading to rigor (rigor mortis in extreme
during ATP depletion? cases).
The sliding filament theory explains that ______ slide Actin; myosin
past ______ to shorten the sarcomere.
An athlete increases force production after neural Increased neural adaptations: motor unit recruitment, synchronization,
training without hypertrophy. What explains this? and firing rate.
Type I fibers fatigue faster due to low oxidative False - Type I fibers have high oxidative capacity and are fatigue-
capacity. resistant.
Define motor unit recruitment according to the Smaller motor units (Type I) are recruited first, followed by larger
size principle. (Type II) as force demands increase.
What is rate coding? The frequency at which motor neurons fire, increasing force output.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
Why does explosive training improve power Enhanced neural drive, motor unit synchronization, and rate coding.
without large muscle gains?
The ______ system provides immediate energy for ATP-PC (phosphagen)
short-duration, high-intensity activity.
What is the primary limiting factor in ATP-PC Phosphocreatine availability
system performance?
Define lactate threshold. The intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate faster than it can be
cleared.
Lactate is the primary cause of muscle fatigue. False - Fatigue is more associated with hydrogen ion accumulation, not
lactate itself.
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
A runner improves endurance after training at Increased mitochondrial density and oxidative enzyme activity.
moderate intensity. What adaptation occurred?
What is oxidative phosphorylation? ATP production using oxygen in mitochondria via electron transport
chain.
Glycolysis occurs in the ______ and produces ______ Cytoplasm; 2 ATP
ATP net.
Define VO2 max. The maximal rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise.
Two athletes have same VO2 max, but one Higher lactate threshold or better movement economy.
performs better. Why?
Eccentric contractions produce less force than False - Eccentric contractions produce greater force.
concentric contractions.
What is stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)? Rapid eccentric contraction followed by concentric contraction to
enhance force output.
Why do plyometrics improve performance? They enhance SSC efficiency and neuromuscular coordination.
Define torque. Rotational force = force × moment arm.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
The closer resistance is to a joint axis, the ______ Less
torque produced.
What is moment arm? Perpendicular distance from axis of rotation to force line.
Why is lifting harder when the bar is farther from Increased moment arm increases torque demand.
the body?
Type IIx fibers are more fatigue-resistant than False - Type IIx fatigue quickly; Type I are most fatigue-resistant.
Type I fibers.
Define muscle pennation angle. Angle between muscle fibers and force-generating axis.
How does increased pennation affect force? Allows more fibers → greater force production.
Why do bodybuilders gain strength with Increased cross-sectional area increases force capacity.
hypertrophy?
Page 4
What happens to actin-myosin cross-bridges Cross-bridges cannot detach, leading to rigor (rigor mortis in extreme
during ATP depletion? cases).
The sliding filament theory explains that ______ slide Actin; myosin
past ______ to shorten the sarcomere.
An athlete increases force production after neural Increased neural adaptations: motor unit recruitment, synchronization,
training without hypertrophy. What explains this? and firing rate.
Type I fibers fatigue faster due to low oxidative False - Type I fibers have high oxidative capacity and are fatigue-
capacity. resistant.
Define motor unit recruitment according to the Smaller motor units (Type I) are recruited first, followed by larger
size principle. (Type II) as force demands increase.
What is rate coding? The frequency at which motor neurons fire, increasing force output.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
Why does explosive training improve power Enhanced neural drive, motor unit synchronization, and rate coding.
without large muscle gains?
The ______ system provides immediate energy for ATP-PC (phosphagen)
short-duration, high-intensity activity.
What is the primary limiting factor in ATP-PC Phosphocreatine availability
system performance?
Define lactate threshold. The intensity at which lactate begins to accumulate faster than it can be
cleared.
Lactate is the primary cause of muscle fatigue. False - Fatigue is more associated with hydrogen ion accumulation, not
lactate itself.
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
A runner improves endurance after training at Increased mitochondrial density and oxidative enzyme activity.
moderate intensity. What adaptation occurred?
What is oxidative phosphorylation? ATP production using oxygen in mitochondria via electron transport
chain.
Glycolysis occurs in the ______ and produces ______ Cytoplasm; 2 ATP
ATP net.
Define VO2 max. The maximal rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise.
Two athletes have same VO2 max, but one Higher lactate threshold or better movement economy.
performs better. Why?
Eccentric contractions produce less force than False - Eccentric contractions produce greater force.
concentric contractions.
What is stretch-shortening cycle (SSC)? Rapid eccentric contraction followed by concentric contraction to
enhance force output.
Why do plyometrics improve performance? They enhance SSC efficiency and neuromuscular coordination.
Define torque. Rotational force = force × moment arm.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Exam
The closer resistance is to a joint axis, the ______ Less
torque produced.
What is moment arm? Perpendicular distance from axis of rotation to force line.
Why is lifting harder when the bar is farther from Increased moment arm increases torque demand.
the body?
Type IIx fibers are more fatigue-resistant than False - Type IIx fatigue quickly; Type I are most fatigue-resistant.
Type I fibers.
Define muscle pennation angle. Angle between muscle fibers and force-generating axis.
How does increased pennation affect force? Allows more fibers → greater force production.
Why do bodybuilders gain strength with Increased cross-sectional area increases force capacity.
hypertrophy?
Page 4
